Should i consider a Canon FD mount?

Skyline On Fire

Skyline On Fire

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Luke
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I was just browsing ebay and there are quite a few interesting lenses for very reasonable prices, would it be worth investing in a FD adapter and getting a few of them? I assume i would have to run it fully manual which wouldn't be a big issue, i'd still have full control over aperture correct? Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can give.
 
Have you considered the Tamron Adaptall-2 range? You'd use an M42 mount on the lens, and then an M42 to Canon adapter. With suitable mounts, the lenses can be used on (and sold to users of) other brands of camera.
 
See thats the thing Im completely ignorant when it comes to this! Could you point me in the right direction that would find me the mount you mentioned? I'd have full aperature, ISO etc... Control correct? Thats all Im concerned about really, manual focusing is fine.
 
Having found out about this little secret recently, I should keep stum but what the heck...:D

I don't know about FD mount lenses, but look at using M42 mount lenses - I bought a Jupiter 135mm f4 and a Helios 58mm f2 recently for.......£3 each :eek:

I then bought an M42 to Eos mount adaptor for £2.49 and have been blown away with the results.

Basically you lose the ability to change the aperture via your camera's controls, but you set it manually on the lens instead (thats how these old lenses worked) You also focus manually as you know, set your shutterspeed in the normal way and shoot. Or you can use TV mode to get your shutterspeed set for you by the camera. ISO isn't affected, you can still set it in your usual way.

I believe some FD mount lenses have problems with infinity focus (the rear element hits the mirror) and you need an adaptor with an extra element in it. This will affect the performance of the lens, so I have avoided FD for this reason.

My latest aquisition is a Carl Zeiss 135 f3.5 which is just stunning even compared to the Jupiter version I have.

Have fun

Ste
 
I have a 50mm FD lens for my 350D and a mount adapter. There are a few different mount adapters, so make sure you get one with the lens built in to allow focus to infinity.
As said you lose aperture control and the lenses are manual focus only. I paid around a tenner for my lens and have no complaints.
 
Skyline On Fire said:
See thats the thing Im completely ignorant when it comes to this! Could you point me in the right direction that would find me the mount you mentioned? I'd have full aperature, ISO etc... Control correct? Thats all Im concerned about really, manual focusing is fine.
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Full iso control in camera.

Aperture would be set manually on the lens itself.

Depending on the camera you are using you may be able to use Aperture (A or Av) mode with body correctly metering and setting shutter speed or using full manual mode where you have to set the shutter speed on body yourself.
 
If you get a Tamron Adaptall lens, Tamron makes an EOS adapter that doesn't have additional glass in it. Old FD lenses will need a different adapter, which will need to have a correcting lens fitted, otherwise you will lose the ability to focus to infinity. Unfortunately the additional correcting lens may lead to a slight drop in IQ.

However FD/EOS adapters are fairly cheap as are old FD lenses, so if you want to give it a go, it won't have cost you an arm and a leg if the results are not to your satisfaction.
 
Go M42, there are loads of M42 lenses about at silly cheap prices, and the EOS M42 adaptor is just a few quid, many more lenses than you would find with FD mount.


Dave.
 
To make it even MORE easier, you can get a m42 to canon adapter that gives you focus confirm! It has a little chip and contacts on it. Works just great on my 350d!
 
I have a pentax K to eos adapter and it has AF confirm allowing me to put on a helios
58mm F1;2.
 
...

for quality FD lens .... look "here"

got a superb mint 28mm FD here
 
FD the eos isn't such a great idea as they have to have another piece of glass in the adaptor which will impact on image quality. Far better to look at M42 or Adaptall 2 lens - especially Tamron SP range as these are all wonderful lenses.
 
Scarecrow said:
If you get a Tamron Adaptall lens, Tamron makes an EOS adapter that doesn't have additional glass in it. Old FD lenses will need a different adapter, which will need to have a correcting lens fitted, otherwise you will lose the ability to focus to infinity. Unfortunately the additional correcting lens may lead to a slight drop in IQ.

However FD/EOS adapters are fairly cheap as are old FD lenses, so if you want to give it a go, it won't have cost you an arm and a leg if the results are not to your satisfaction.
Click to expand...


Oops! Missed that!
 
'How to use m42 lenses with Canon EOS' HERE
 
wontolla said:
'How to use m42 lenses with Canon EOS' HERE
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That has just made such a difference to me. My Tamron 28mm f2.5 has always been tough for me to focus with, but changing the diopter has brought it to life.
 
The23rdman said:
That has just made such a difference to me. My Tamron 28mm f2.5 has always been tough for me to focus with, but changing the diopter has brought it to life.
Click to expand...

Yeh! Great little article isn't it? Real help to me too!!
 
Brilliant. I was going to get rid of the 28mm, but now it's back in action. :)
 
Fascinating thread and a good read on the links - I must give this a go - esp. after having recently invested heavily in an M42 / EOS mount (less than a fiver delivered !).

Mike
 
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